Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-07-12
POPHAM BEACH.
PopHAM BEACH, July 9, 1887.

PoPHAM BEACH, July 9, 1887.
The summer saunterer who leaves Augusta
on sultry morning, taking passage for the
the seashore on the pert little steamer
Percy W" will find the change from land
to water, and from dead calm to a cooling
breeze, a very grateful one.
There are broader rivers than the Kenne-
bee, and more striking scenery, but take it
all in all, for quiet sail one will rarely find
a pleasanter stream. The evidences of
thrift and successful business operations are
prominent features as Hsllowell, Gardiner,
Richmond and Bath are passed. not among
the least of which are the great ice houses
which has made the Kennebec a household
world in every sea coast town from Boston
to New Orleans. The massive rocks which
line the shores below Bath attract the atten-
ton of the stranger and cause him TO wonder
how many Centuries the waters have Tapped
their dark bases.
Fate seems to have decreed that every
steamer and every passenger car shall always
have on board at least one unique specimen
Of the human race. On this occasion she
Bath, who was chaperoning a
=
vigorously and conscientiously pointed
out to them every object of interest, while she
repeated over and over the question Now,
don't You think this is pretty?" Some of the
information impaired was grotesquely incor-
rect, but she reached the high water mark,
when she graveiy informed the couple that in
few moments they would ''see where the
Penobscot emptied into the Kennebec." The
young man Was disposed to question the cor
rectness of this statement, but he was sat
down upon promptly and forcibly
Upon our arrival at Popbam we found the
Jessie b " laid up at the wharf and the
genial captain at the hotel, playing toss the
ring" with a little grl He had come down
the day before, but did not think it prudent to
go out until the following afternoon on ac-
count of the teavv swell, although the day
was beautifully clear and cain. | WAS in
formed his staunch, swift passenger steam
er, would be put on in the place of the present
one next summer
This summer resort has assumed different
aspect since Mr.. Vickery acquired the title
He is preparing to furnish d water supply to
both hotels from the fresh water pond, and
next season the cottages will be furnished
from the same source. The wharf is now a
first class one.
The old roads have been repaired and new
ones will soon be opened, including street
to run the entire length Of the beach. A
number of pretty cottages are being erected
f,r various persons by Mr.. Rollins of Au-
gusta.
Both the Eureka and Ocean View houses
are open and rapidly filling up with guests.
Some prominent parties from New York City
have engaged rooms for the entire season,
including Mrs. J. Burt, Mrs. K. B. Burt and
arrived. There is also party here from
Washington and number frsm Bath Au-
burn and Augusta.
Those who are cheered by the sights of a
beautiful table will be pleased to know that
Mr.. Alf Perkins is in charge of the Eureka
House; and at the Ocean View, you not only
have a fine table, but one of the grandest
views on the Maine coast If one has a
particle of enthusiasm in him it will come to
the surface hen, for the first time, he steps
out Oh the south front Of the piazza and
finds vision of unexpected loneliness I'M
folded before him. Grandly 'the ocean,
old and gray" breaks along the gracefully
curving stretch OF beach, and eternalIy beats
with mighty force upon the rocky islands
which here stud the coast In the offing may
be seen on a clear windy day from 20 to 80
sails. and the Halifax, Esstport, Rockland
and Boothbay steamers are visible going up
and down the coast. AT dusk. old Seguin
Light that friend of the mariner, shines out
clear and steady, while 20 miles distant the
fash of Monhegsn Light can be seen very
distinctly.
ride of three and BALI miles down the
broad beach at low tide was delight. In
many places fifty teams could have driven
abreast on the smooth, hard shingle. After a
stiff breeze from the south the waves roll in
fifteen and twenty feet high, breaking upon
the beach with terrific force. All sorts OF
curiosities from the depths of the great deep
are washed ashore and are eagerly sought
after. Some years ago a passing vessel
was obliged to jetson part of her cargo OF
coal here, and from time TO time since pieces
Hence the natives are firm in the belief that
there is a coal mine near Seguin.
The most frequent causes of complaint
urged against Bar Harbor are its dense fOgs
and chilly air. At Pophsm the fogs are not
so frequent, the air is decidedly warmer, and
the bathing is excellent. About thirty add
tional cottages are to be erected before anoth
er season, and it seems almost inevitable that
this resort should become a favorite one, not
only on account of its attractions but also be-
come of its accessibility.
1t was with genuine regret that we shook
hands with genial Mr.. Vickery and turne d
our faces sway from the cool breezes and
beautiful scenery toward the dust and heat
OF the interior.